Wandsworth Council relocates families from Colliers Wood tower over heat risks
Residents report temperatures reaching 37°C in Britannia Point flats with faulty air conditioning
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Wandsworth Council is removing four temporary accommodation households from Britannia Point, a 19-storey tower block in Colliers Wood, after residents reported dangerous heat levels. The decision follows complaints that air conditioning units were either faulty or inaccessible, with some flats reaching 37°C during the recent heatwave.
Sabrina Walters, a 31-year-old mother of two placed at Britannia Point by Wandsworth Council, said her air conditioning unit became stuck at 24°C. She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that the heat was worst in the bedrooms where her one-year-old and seven-year-old sleep. The LDRS observed the unit remained fixed at 24°C despite her attempts to adjust it.
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Management denies restricting air conditioning
Aura Asset Management Limited, which manages Britannia Point, said the air conditioning systems were fully operational and available to all residents, including those in temporary accommodation. The company told the LDRS that residents are responsible for the electricity costs of running the units and that it had never instructed anyone not to use them.
Aura added that all residents and local authorities are informed before moving in that air conditioning is an optional service. The company said it had not received any reports of residents becoming seriously ill due to the heat but encouraged anyone with concerns to contact them directly.
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Air conditioning in that building is not an amenity, it is essential. Criterion Capital need to urgently explain how the air conditioning was ever turned off in their building during a heatwave for vulnerable families.
Stuart Neaverson, Merton Labour councillor
Other councils continue placements
While Wandsworth Council is relocating its households, other councils are still placing residents at Britannia Point. Croydon Council said it had carried out welfare checks and was told by Criterion Capital that the air conditioning was now switched on. Sutton Council, which has 13 households at the tower, said it was "very concerned" about the reports and had contacted Aura Asset Management.
Merton Council does not currently house any residents at Britannia Point. Mitcham and Morden MP Siobhain McDonagh and Merton councillor Stuart Neaverson have been working with residents to address the issue. Neaverson praised Wandsworth Council’s decision to remove its families but called on other councils to follow suit immediately.
What happens next
Wandsworth Council said it is working to secure alternative accommodation for the four households being moved from Britannia Point. The council told the LDRS that the welfare of residents was its priority.
It is unclear whether other councils will follow Wandsworth’s lead. Croydon and Sutton councils have not announced plans to relocate their residents. Aura Asset Management said it continues to monitor the situation and encourages residents to report any issues directly.
Questions this report answers
+Why is Wandsworth Council moving families out of Britannia Point?
Wandsworth Council is relocating four temporary accommodation households from Britannia Point due to dangerous heat levels. Residents reported temperatures reaching 37°C in some flats, with faulty air conditioning units and limited ventilation making conditions unbearable. The council prioritised the welfare of vulnerable families, including young children.
+Who is responsible for paying for the air conditioning at Britannia Point?
Residents at Britannia Point are responsible for paying for the electricity costs of running the air conditioning units. Aura Asset Management, which manages the building, confirmed that air conditioning is an optional service, and no restrictions have been placed on its use for temporary accommodation residents.
+What is the management company saying about the air conditioning issues?
Aura Asset Management stated that the air conditioning systems are fully operational and available to all residents, including those in temporary accommodation. They denied restricting its use and noted that residents must cover the electricity costs. The company also said it had not received reports of serious illness due to the heat.
+Will other councils follow Wandsworth’s lead and relocate their residents?
It remains unclear whether other councils will relocate their residents from Britannia Point. Croydon and Sutton councils have not announced plans to move families, despite concerns. Wandsworth Council’s decision highlights ongoing risks, but no further action has been confirmed by other authorities.
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